Liquid plastic lining machine



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May 24, 1960 E. A. wlLcKENs ETAI- 2,937,404

LIQUID PLASTIC LINING MACHINE O INVENTORS.- Ep'be A .Wilcken-S, Wpllcam C. Raner, Jtph GE (erma/ie, Jantes R Hamilton,

dward MRei ATTORNE ZS.

May 24, 1960 E. A. wlLcKl-:Ns EIAL LIQUID PLASTICk LINING MACHINE 15 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 26, 1955 INVENTORS:

OOO`

I o g I www nm o,v o @u m un em@ mawmMM/ R Ammann# Mu w im EWJJ m May 24 1960 E. A. wlLcKENs ErAL 2,937,404

LIQUID PLASTIC LINING MACHINE 15 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed AUI. 26, 1955 NVENTORS :A.W13l:-kens, J ogm Ratncr,

,Ose ,arma

danses R Hazntlt'on, Edward MJBQHdU,

ATroRNEYs May 24, 1960 E. A. wlLcKENs ETAI- 2,937,404

LIQUID PLASTIC LINING MACHINE Filed AUB. 26, 1955 15 Shee'lZS--Sheetv 4 JMW/194 j j; 196

164 Wil 'cam G. Runner,

Jbsph G. Gernwk, JamesP. Hamil'qn ,gy

BY Edward M.R edd ng,

Mau), )L g ATTORNEYS.

May 24, 1960 E. A. wlLcKENs ETAL 2,937,404

LIQUID PLASTIC LINING MACHINE 15 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed AUI. 26, 1955 INVENTORS.'

w Jas Ja BY J 04,19%

15 Sheets-Sheet 7 E. A. WILCKENS ETAL LIQUID PLASTIC LINING MACHINE May 24, 1960 Filed Aug. 26, 1955 1w, m ,Jammu m .mmm m RWM f GGHM/l @if @m mmf WJJE May 24, 1960 E. A. WILCKENS ETA!- LIQUID PLASTIC LINING MACHINE Filed Aug. 26, 1955 15 Sheets-Sheet 8 106' 17o' 6 leaf* 204' 216 f 22d, 200. 112 i I I 2 Lavalk 145i 100 272 f 274 #f if 198 g 26? 144 am. 14o "27a 266, -150 l5 INVENTO: Eibe ANiLekem Wlumc. Razner,

am o wzl, n BY E'dzvari MR an, am!" wn :7% Arroxmsi's.

May 24, 1960 Filed Aug. 26, 1955 E. A. wlLcKENs ETAL LIQUID PLASTIC LINING MACHINE:

l5 Sheets-Sheet 9 A'ITORNE May 24, 1960 E. A. wlLcKENs ETAI- 2,937,404

LIQUID PLASTIC LINING MACHINE Filed Aug. 26. 1955 15 Sheets-Sheet 10 q 'I f T 23 g I *a "l INVENTORS: @0D mfjzbeA. lcpenay N Mllzam C. Ratner, "D "D Jpsph G. Gerpzah Ja mesR Hamzl'op,%,f BY Edwrdlv R edd-ung, Mmm), W

ATTORNEYS.

May 24, 1960 E. A. wlLcKENs ETAL 2,937,404

LIQUID PLASTIC LINING MACHINE 15 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed A112. 26, 1955 kans,

RH ard 15 Sheets-Sheet 12 INVENTORS: Eib AMZclckens Maintain/C. Rauw J/osph G. Grm

I alc?? Zai/W ATTORNEYS.

May 24, 1960 E. A. wlLcKENs ETAI- LIQUID PLASTIC LINING MACHINE Filed Aug. 26, 1955 May 24, 1960 E. A. wlLcKENs ETAL 25937404 LIQUID PLASTIC LINING MACHINE Filed Aug. 26, 1955 15 Sheets-Sheet 13 ATTORNEYS 1.94 166 INVENTORS.-

May 24, 1960 E. A. wlLcKENs ETAL 2,937,404

LIQUID PLASTIC LINING MACHINE Filed Aug. 26, 1955 15 Sheets-Sheet 15 Il JIMII hlly/ I IWEATORS:

Eibe Aivvjlckens,

"\ l T William caener ames ,am on BY E/duzaJx/nnedtrig, W L www ATTORNEYS.

Unit@ LIQUID PLASTIC Lu'snso MACHINE Eibe A. Wilckens, William C. Rainer, and Joseph G. Germalr, Baltimore, and James P. Hamilton, Glen Burnie, and Edward M. Redding, Baltimore, Md., assignors to Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc., Baltimore, Md., a corporation of New York Filed Aug. 26, 1955, Ser. No. 530,819

14 Claims. (Cl. 18-20) machine for lining a cap with a cushion liner ofl a plastic material of the type mentioned in the above-identified application, which is continuous in its operation thereby obtaining optimum output.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a method and machine for heating Vsuccessive empty closures, for depositing a measured charge of a viscous plastic into the preheated closures, for preheating the plastic charge to cure at least a hardened or tackfree film on the surface thereof, and for molding the plastic charge under heat and pressure to form a finished molded and cured liner in the closure.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a novel procedure and mechanism for distributing the charge within the closure so that the same will contact the interior of the shell throughout substantially the entire surface area to which the liner is to be applied.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a plastic charge feeding mechanism which is adapted to deposit a measured charge of a plastisol in a viscous state into successive closures.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a plastic charge depositing mechanism of the type described which is provided with means operable to permit the depositing of a charge only when a closure is presented to receive the charge.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a high speed machine which is operable to produce a high output of finished closures substantially all of which contain a liner accurately formed therein, thereby reducing the inspection needed.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a high speed machine operable to deposit a measured charge of a viscous plastic into successive empty closures, to preheat the plastic in the closures so as to cure a hardened or non-tacky film on the exposed surface thereof, and to mold the preheated plastic in the shells to a desired shape under heat and pressure.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a machine for applying liners of a plastic sealing material to the interior of closures which secures a stronger bond between the liner and closure and which insures that the sealing material will be spread throughout the interior of the closure so that a perfect mold can be obtained.

These and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent during the course of the following detailed description and appended claims.

States Patent i other part of the charge depositing device;

Figure l2 is a top plan View of the part shown in 2,937,404 Patented' May 24,;.1950

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l with certain parts removed and various elements shown in horizontal section for the. purpose of clearillustration;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of the plastic charge depositing mechanism;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevationall View of one of the charge depositing devices lof the mechanism shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the device shown in'Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional View taken along the line 6 6 of Figure 5; Y

Figure 7 is a fragmentary View similar to Figure 4 showing the device in another operative position;

Figure Sis a three level cross-sectional view taken at 'taken at llevels A, BV and C of Figure 5;

Figure 9 is a front'elevational viewof-'a` part of the charge depositing device;

Figure 10 is a bottom view of the part shown in Figure 9; Y

Figure 11 is a detailed side elevational view of an- Figure 1l; Y

Figure 13 is a somewhat schematic top plan View of a machine embodying a modified form of the invention; Figure 14 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of one of the charge depositing ydevices of the modified form of the invention showing the samevin a positionv of operation preparatory to receiving a closure shell;

Figure 15 is a view similar to Figure 14 showing the device in another position of operation as the shell 'is transferred thereto;

Figure 16 is a view similar to Figure 14 showing a still further position'of operation where the charge is 'ejected into the shell;

Figure 17 is a view similar to Figure 14 showing the device in a still further position of operation where the charged shell is ready for transfer therefrom;

Figure 18 is a cross-sectional View taken along the y line 18-18 of Figure 14; Y n

Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 19-19 of Figure 14; Y

' Figure 20 is a cross-sectional View taken along the line 20-243 of Figure 14; i

Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 21-21 of Figure 14;

Figure 22 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the molding dial of the modified form of the invention;

Figure 23 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan viewk showing certain details of construction of the molding dial;

Figure 24 is a view similar to Figure 22 showing a still further modified form of the molding dial;

Figure 25 is a view similar to Figure 23 of the modified l Figure 30 is a side elevational view, partly broken away, of a screw type cap having a charge of plastisol deposited therein;

Figure 31 is a top plan view of the cap of Figure 30;

Figure 32is a vertical sectional view of a lug type cap having a charge of plastisol deposited therein; and

Figure 33 is a top plan View of the cap shown in Figure 32.

General construction and operation The machine illustrated in the drawings is intended to form liners in crown-type bottle caps which comprise a metal shell S having a iiuted skirt and a molded and curedliner L of plastisol of the type disclosed in the aforesaid application. As disclosed in the application, one method of forming the lined caps includes the steps of depositing a measured charge of uncured plastisol into an empty shell S, preheating the charge in the shell until a relatively hard or non-tacky film is cured on the exposed surface thereof, and then molding the film containing plastisol in the metal shell Sunder suitable heat and pressure to form a finished molded and cured linery L therein. In a preferred embodiment, the shell S is preheated before receiving the charge and then rotated about its own axis with the charge deposited therein so as to insure that the charge will be distributed uniformly around the entireinterior of the shell and flow into engagement with the fluted skirt thereof.

In theembodiment disclosed in Figures 1-12, the present invention incorporates the general arrangement of the machine disclosed in Wilckens and Rau Patent No. 2,703,130, issued March 1, 1955. While this machine is for assembling cork liners in shells to form caps, the drive mechanism, the shell feeding mechanism and presser dial mechanism may be utilized with only slight modifications. The liner feeding dial and associated mechanism, assembly dial mechanism and transfer dial mechanism of the Wilckens and Rau machine are either dispensed with entirely or replaced by a different mechanism.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, two machines such as disclosed herein are usually arranged side by side so that the caps produced thereby'can be delivered to a single outlet conveyor 50 extending between a pair of machines and moving toward the left in Figure l. The two machines are identical except for such changes that enable them to face in opposite directions and, therefore, only the left hand machine of Figure 2 is hereinafter described.

The shells S are delivered to the machine from a source including the chute outlet 52 shown in the upper portion of Figure 1, the shells falling from'the chute 52 into the shell'feeding mechanism S4. The shells move downwardly from feeding mechanism 54 in single file by way of a chute 56: Chute 56`includes a rectifier and delivers properly facing shells to a shell delivery Wheel 58 provided With a series of circumferentially spaced pads 6i) which engage the shells S to withdraw them from the lower and-curved bottom end of chute 56. The shell delivery wheel 58 positions the shells in successive pockets 62 of a shell feeding dial 64 mounted for rotation in a horizontal plane above the table 66 of the machine.

The shell feeding dial 64 delivers the successive shells to a charge depositing dial mechanism, generally indicated at 68, where a measured charge of the lining or sealing material, in the form of a plastisol in a viscous state, is deposited into each successive shell S as it is carried by the dial'mechanism 68.v The charge ciepositing dial mechanism includes means operable to permit the depositing of a charge only when a shell S is presented to receive the charge.

The shells, with a measured charge of plastisol deposited therein, are transferred from the charge depositing dialmechanism 68 onto a conditioning dial 70 mounted for rotation in a horizontal plane above the table 66 and-having`aplurality of circumferentially spacedseats 4 or pockets 72 for receiving and supporting successive closures.

The term conditioning as herein used, denotes a preheating treatment in which the plastisol is at least partially advanced toward the transition temperature of cure in graduated intensity extending downwardly from the exposed heating surface thereof to the point of shell contact. The conditioning dial is provided with a heating element 74, preferably in the form of an electrical radiant heater disposed above the seats 72 in the path of travel thereof. The heating element 74 applies an elevated temperature to the plastisol charge in the successive closures during their movement on the conditioning dial suicient to at least form a substantially hardened or non-tacky film on the surface thereof. As set forth in the Rainer et al. application, the duration and temperature of the heat applied to the plastisol while the closures are on the conditioning dial may be varied, so` as to substantially fully cure the entire plastisol charge. Heat may also be applied from a heating element located below the line of closures in dial 70, if full cure is desired.

The shells S with a surface or fully cured plastisol charge therein are then transferred from the conditioning dial onto a molding dial, generally indicated at 76, of the type disclosed in John D. Elder, Patent No. 2,242,621. issued February 2l, 1944, as indicated in the aforesaid Wilckens and Rau patent. In brief, the molding dial is mounted for rotation in a vertical plane, and as disclosed in the Elder patent, includes cam control springpressed plungers (not shown) which exert a molding pressure on the liner material in the shells S during the final curing of the same. The spring-pressed plungers extend radially and are spaced annularly around the molding dial. A plurality of circumferentially spaced seats or pockets 73 are formed on the dial to receive and support the charged shells in a position extending radially inwardly of the dial. As illustrated in Figure 1, the molding dial includes a gas burner operable to heat the dial and hence', the plastisol in the shells, so as to apply a molding heat to the liner material to thereby finally cure the same. The molding dial further includes means to stop the ow of gas to the burner 80 when the main drive motor is stopped.

Referring now to the embodiment of the invention disclosed in the modified form of Figure 13, there is shown a similar arrangement of dials which includes the shell feeding mechanism 54, chute 56, shell delivery wheel 5S and shell feeding dial 64 set forth in regard to the embodiment of Figures 1-12. The shell feeding dial 64, however, is provided with a heating element S1, preferably of the electrical radiant type for preheating the shells to an elevated temperature before the plastisol is deposited therein. It will be understood that a like heating element may be provided for the shell feeding dial of the embodiment of Figures 1-12, if desired. The empty preheated shells from the shell feeding dial 64 are transferred to a modified form of charge depositing dial mechanism 82 which is adapted to rotate or spin the shells while the charge is being deposited therein so as to distribute 'the plastisol evenly around the'shell and cause it to flow into engagement with the iiuted skirt'thereby insuring that suiiicient plastisol will be distributed throughout the enire interior surface of the shell to which the liner L is to be adhered.

From the charge depositing dialV mechanism 82, the shells are transferred to a conditioning dial 84 having a plurality of circumferentially spaced seats or pockets 86 for receiving and supporting the successive closures. A heating element 88 is disposed over the seats in the manner previously described in connection with conditioning dial 70 so as to apply an elevated temperature to the exposed surface of the plastisol in the shells thereby curing at least a hardened or non-tacky film thereon. As before, the duration and temperature to which the plastisol is subjected may be vvaried to cure substantially the entire plastisol charge. Of course, where full cure is to be obtained, heating element 88 may bey under the seats if desired.

The shells with surface or fully cured plastisol charges therein are then transferred to a molding dial 90 (Figures 22 and 23) mounted for rotation in a horizontal plane. The dial 9i) is adapted to perform the same function as the dial 76 heretofore described, namely, to apply a final molding heat and pressure to the plastisol within the shells to form finished molded and cured liners L. In Figures 24 and 25 a somewhat modified molding dial 92 is illustrated which may be utilized in lieu of the molding dial 90. v

Figures 26-33 illustrate the manner in which the machine of Figures 13-25 may be modified in order to apply ring liners L to caps S1 of the screw type or caps S2 of the lug type. In brief, the charge depositing dial mechanism 82 is slightly modified so that the caps are positioned under the charge depositing devices in radially offset relation. In this manner, spinning or rotating the caps at a somewhat reduced speed while the charge is being deposited will cause the latter to'be distributed in substantial ring formation near the skirt of the cap.

The various dials of the machine illustrated in Figures l-12 are driven by a suitable drive mechanism such as described in detail in the aforesaid Wilckens and Rau patent. The dials of the modified form disclosed in Figures 13-125 may be driven by a similar drive mechanism suitably modified to accommodate the different physical requirements.

The construction and operation of the shell feeding mechanism 54, chute 56, shell delivery wheel 58 and shell feeding dial d4 are describedin detail in the aforesaid Wilckens and Rau patent and operate the same in the present invention so that a further detailed description is not needed. It Will be understood however, that the glue applying mechanism incorporated in the Wilckens and Rau shell feeding mechanism may be eliminated for present purposes. Likewise, the construction and operation of the molding dial 76 is amply described in detail in the aforesaid Elder patent and functions in the same manner in the present invention. To adapt the Elder dial for present purposes, it is necessary only to modify the shape of the liner-contacting face of the plungers to the shape of the liner desired and to appropriately alter the controls to obtain the desired application of heat and pressure during the time intervals desired. The-construction and operation of the other component dials and mechanisms of the present invention are hereinafter described in detail.

Charge depositing dial mechanism of Figures 1-12 Referring now to Figures 3-12, the charge depositing dial mechanism 68 includes a rotary dial frame 100 rigidly secured to a shaft 102 suitably driven from the drive mechanism mentioned above. As shown in Figure 3, the shaft 102 extends upwardly through the table 66 which carries a bearing 104 within which the shaft. 1112 is journaled. The dial frame lili) is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced charge feeding devices 166 which are mounted for vertical reciprocation during the movement of the dial. An annular ring 108 is rigidly secured to the dial frame i) adjacent its lower end and is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced seats or pockets 110 corresponding with the number of charge depositing devices 106 provided.

As best shown in Figure 5, each of the charge depositing devices 106 includes a cylindrical member 112 mounted for vertical reciprocating movement within a vertically extending cylindn'cal bore 114 formed in the dial frame 100 in alignment with an associated seat 11i). The cylindrical member 112 is provided with a large axial'bore 116 which extends downwardly Ifrom the upper end thereof. The opposite end portion of the cylindrical member 112 is provided with a smaller axial bore 118 which extends upwardly from the lower end thereof into communication with the bore 116. The portion of the cylindrical member 112 extending between the communicating bores 116 and 11S provides a lower end wall 120 of a charge measuring chamber within the bore 116. A fitting 122 is threadedly engaged at one'end within the upper end portion of the bore 116 and includes a lower surface, defining the upper end wall 124 of the charge measuring chamber, andan annular flange 126 adapted to overlie the upper edge of the cylindrical member 112. In order to Vary the volume of the charge measuring chamber, any suitable number of shims 128 may be disposed between the upper edge surface of the cylinder member 112 and the lower surface of the annular flange 126.

A piston 130 is slidably mounted in the bore 116 within the charge measuring chamber thereof and has a piston rod 132 extending from the lower end thereof which is slidable within the bore 118. An axial bore 134 extends completely through the piston 130 and piston rod 132 so as to communicate the lower end of the latter with the charge measuring chamber. The piston 13) is provided with an annular groove 136 for receiving an lO-ring sealing member 13S of the conventional type adapted to engage the walls of the bore 116 and prevent passage of the sealing material past the piston.

Threadedly mounted on the lower end of the piston rod132 below the cylindrical member 112 is a charge ejecting nozzle 14). The nozzle 14d includes an internally threaded tube 142 which engages cooperating external threads on the ylower end of the piston rod and which has a lower outwardly extending flange 144. Ex-

tending between the upper surface of iiange 144 and the lower surface of cylindrical member 112 in surrounding spaced fingers 146 extend downwardly from oppositer sides of the iiange 144 for a purpose hereinafter to be more fully described.

The nozzle 1419V further includes a nozzle member 14S having an axial outlet passageway 150v formed in the lower end thereof and a communicating axial bore 152 Aformed in the upper end thereof. The nozzle member 148 is externally threaded at its upper end and cooperatively engages within the internal threads of the` tube 142 and a sealing ring 154 is disposed within the tube-142 between the lower end surface of the piston rod 132 and the upper edge surface of the nozzle member 143. vAs the nozzle member is threadedly engaged within the tube 142, the sealing ring 154 will engage Athe adjacent surface of the piston rod and nozzle member to provide a leakproof seal therebetween.

As best shown in Figure 3, means are provided for supplying a source of sealing material in the form of a plastisol in a viscous 4state to the charge measuring cham? ber so that it may be ejected therefrom through the nozzle 140. To this end, a rotary member 156 providing a reservoir 158 for receiving a supply of plastiso'l, is rigidly secured Vto the shaft 102 for rotation therewith. Plastis'olv is supplied to the reservoir by a rotary pressure joint 160, the reservoir being completely filled-with plastisol under pressure from the supply line through joint 160. Each of the charge measuring chambers communicates with the reservoir 158 through la fitting 162 extending ,outwarclly from the reservoir.

endV connected to a fitting 166r threadedly mounted on the fitting i122. lThe fitting 122 ispfrovided with athrough'v boref168 having an enlargedportion 170 at the upperY Y A liexible hose or tube l164V is connected to the fitting 162 at one end and has its other' portion 170; An outlet ball type check valve 178 is urged into engagement with the sealing ring 154 by a spring 180 mounted within the bore 152 of the nozzle member 148.

Each of the charge depositing devices 186 is vertically reciprocated by a reciprocating means, generally indicated at 182, which will now be described. Mounted on the table 66 in surrounding relation with respect to the bearing 104 is an annular cam frame member 184 having a circuitous cam track 186 extending upwardly therefrom. A cam follower 188 in the form of a plunger 19t) has a bifurcated lower end 192, between the bifurcations of which a roller follower 194 is mounted, as by pin 196. A cam follower 188 is provided for each of the charge depositing devices 106 and is slidably mounted adjacent thereto within a vertically extending through bore 198 disposed in spaced parallel relation to the adjacent bore 114. The upper end of each plunger 198 is threadedly apertured to receive a bolt 280 which secures an apertured key element 202 with the plunger. Each of the cam followers 188 is urged into contact with the cam track 186 by means of a coil spring 204 disposed within the bore 198 and having its lower end in engagement with the key element 202. A plug 206 is threadedly engaged in the upper end of the bore 198 and engages the upper end of the spring 204. The upper portion of the dial frame between each pair of bores 114 and 116 is cut away to provide a communicating vertical slot 208 through which a projecting tab 210 formed on the key element 202 is adapted to extend.

As best shown in Figures 9 and 10, the outer surface of the cylindrical member 112 is provided with an annular groove 212 spaced upwardly from the lower end thereof. A communicating vertical groove 214 extends upwardly from the lower end of the cylindrical member into communication with the annular groove 212.

In connecting each of the charge depositing devices 106 with its associated cam follower 188, the cylindrical member 112 is lowered into its bore 114 and suitably rotated until vertical groove 214 registers with the projecting tab 210 thus permitting the latter to enter the annular groove 212. The device is then rotated until a threaded aperture 216 registers with a corresponding elongated slot 218 provided in the outer surface of the dial frame in communication with each bore 114. A threaded plug 220 may then be extended through the slot 218 and engaged within the threaded aperture 216 so as to hold the cylindrical member against rotation thereby preventing the vertical groove 214 from coming into registry with the projecting tab 210.

In order to provide a means for detecting the leakage of sealing material past the O-ring sealing member 138 of each of the pistons 130, a passageway 222 extends through the cylindrical member between the end wall 120 and threaded aperture 216. The plug 220 may be provided with an axial through bore 224 which communicates the passageway 222 to the exterior of the dial frame. In this manner, if a sealing ring member should become worn or for some other reason function improperly so as to permit sealing material or plastisol to leak past the piston, such plastisol will discharge through the axial bore 224 of the plug and be readily discerned by the operator so that suitable repairs can be promptly made.

The portion of the dial frame within which the nozzle 140 reciprocates is cut away as at 226 so as to provide a lower annular flange or ledge 228 spaced just above the annular ring 188. The ledge or flange 228 between each seat and charge depositing device 106, is provided with a central aperture 230 in alignment with the associated bore 114 and a pair of spaced parallel apertures 232m alignment With the fingers 146 for receiving the same. The annular ring 188 is provided with a registering pair of vertically extending apertures 234 disposed below the apertures 232 at each seat or pocket thereof.

`Iurthe 4operation of the charge depositing dial mechanism 68, it will be seen from Figure 2, that as the shells S are transferred thereto from the shell feeding dial 64, the charge depositing device disposed above the seat upon which the shell is supported will be in a raised position such as shown in Figures 4 and 5. It will be noted that the lower end of fingers 146 of the device are disposed within the apertures 232 thus leaving the seat free for the entry of the shell thereon. It will also be noted that the spring 145 maintains the piston in its lowermost position with the upper end surface thereof spaced below the upper end wall 124 of the charge measuring chamber and that the sealing material in the form of a plastisol in a viscous state will be present within the measuring chamber and the communicating bores 168 and 170 of the fitting 122 and the communicating bore 134 of the piston and piston rod. The nozzle will also be filled with plastisol which is too viscous to ow out of the small hole in the nozzle when the pressure is cut olf. Since it will not harden when merely exposed to air it will not clog the hole. As the dial rotates, the shell S is carried from the position where it was received from the shell feeding dial to a position where it is transferred to the conditioning dial 70. During this period, which constitutes approximately one-half of a revolution of the dial, the cam track 186 initially drops olf causing the cam follower 188 to move downwardly under the influence of coil spring 204. Movement of the cam follower 188 downwardly will carry with it, by virtue of the engagement of projecting tab 210 in annular groove 212, the charge depositing device 106. As the charge depositing device is moved downwardly, the lower end of the fingers 146 will contact the shell S so as to stop the downward movement of the nozzle 140, piston rod 132 and piston 130 so that upon further downward movement, the upper end wall 124 of the charge measuring chamber will move toward the upper surface of the piston 130. As the two surfaces move together an amount of plastisol equal to the displaced volume between surface 124 yand the top of the piston is forced down through bore 134. An equal amount is thus forced out of the completely filled nozzle. When the two surfaces engage each other, no further downward movement of the cylindrical member is possible. The amount of plastisol ejected in the charge is thereby accurately predetermined by the distance of relative movement between the upper surface of the piston and the upper end wall 124 of the chamber.

As briefly set forth above, the upper end wall 124 of the charge measuring chamber is longitudinally adjustable by virtue of the threaded connection of the fitting 122 within the upper end of the bore 116 and shims 128 may be utilized to space the end wall in any longitudinal position of adjustment. It will be noted that by making the engagement of the upper surface of the piston with the upper end wall of the chamber, the limit of relative movement, the charge measuring chamber is self-purging. That is, if the plastisol within the chamber should initially have air entrained therein, the action of the piston within the chamber will force such air outwardly therefrom with the plastisol as it is ejected during the course of the first few charges deposited. In thismanner, an accurate predetermined charge is insured.

After the charge has been deposited into the shell but before the device reaches the position for transferring the shell to the precuring dial, the cam track V186 is directed upwardly so as to move the charge depositing device upwardly. At the transfer position, fingers 146 will be out of engagement with the shell in the position shown in Figure 4 thus enabling the shell to be freely transferred from its seat. During the upward return movement of the charge depositing device, spring 14S will cause the piston to move away from the upper end wall 124 of the charge measuring chamber. The plastisol being under pressure will quickly refill the measuring chamber.

From the above, it will beseen that if for some reason the shell feeding dial 64 should fail to feed a shell to one of the seats on the charge depositing dial, the associated charge depositing device will not operate to eject a charge. Thus, if no shell is present on a seat during a revolution of the dial mechanism, the associated charge depositing device will be moved down by the action of cam track 186 and cam Ifollower 188. However, no relative motion of the piston with-in the charge measuring chamber will take place since this movement 1s dependent upon the engagement of lingers 146 with a shell. With no shell on the seat, the iingers 146 will enter apertures 234 in the ringV 108 during the downward movement of the charge measuring device and no ejection will occur.

Charge depositing dial mechanism of figures 13-23 The charge depositing mechanism 82 of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 13-23 is similar to the charge depositing dial mechanism 68 heretofore described and may be used in lieu thereof in the machine of Figures 1412 if desired. The dial mechanism 82 includes additional features and hence, is somewhat modiiied but includes many of the elements of the previous embodiment. As shown in Figures lll-20, similar parts of the dial mechanism 82 are designated yby coiresponding primed numerals of the parts previously described in connection with the charge `depositing dial mechanism 68.

The principal `difference between the two dial mechanisms consists in the added `feature of providing a means for rotating the closures about their respective axes during their movement on the dial mechanism. Hence, only such added elements as are provided to perform this function and the modifications of the prior structure occasioned thereby will be described, it being lunderstood that the structure not speciiically mentioned correspondsy with the structure of the dial mechanism heretofore set forth.

To this end, the annular seat providing ring'108 is provided with a downwardly directed annular flange extension 240 which is provided with a series of circumferentially spaced vertical bores 242 corresponding in number tothe number of seats provided. `lournaled within each of the bores 242 is a hollow vertical spindle 244 having an annular seat 246 threadedly mounted on the-upper end thereof. Each of the seats 246 is rotatably mounted within a suitable recess 248 formed in the -annular'ring 188 and includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced pockets '250 for receiving permanent magnets 252.

The lower end of each hollow spindle 244 has a roller 254 rigidly connected therewith for engagement with an endless belt 256 trained about a horizontally disposed driving pulley or roller 258, spaced follower -rollers 260 and 262 and certain of the pulleys 254 of the dial mechanism. It will Ibe seen fromFigure 13, that during each revolution of the dial mechanism 82, each roller 254 will engage the traveling endless belt 256 during a portion of the revolution so as to rotate the associated seat 246.

Since the crowns are rotated during the injection of the charge therein, it would not be possible to provide a no-shell no-charge means, such as fingers 146, which engage the shell. Hence the dial frame 100 has been modified so as to include the cutout portion 2726 premiouslydescribed and instead a vertically extending through slot264 extends between each bore 114 and the exterior of the dial frame. Pivotally carriedvwithin the lower portion of each slot 264, as by pivot pin 266, is a locking element or bell crank 268 having a lower arm 270l arranged to be engaged by `a shell S and an upper arm 271l operatively connected with the associated charge depositing device 106'. The upper end of arm 271 is notched as at 272, to receive the lower edge of the cylindrical member 112 and an Iinwardly 'f 10 facing cam surface 274 extends downwardly froni'the notch. An annular coilspring 276 engaging all of the bell cranks 268 urges the upper arms of the latter inwardly.

Relative movement of the piston within the charge measuring chamber is effected by cooperating stop surfaces between nozzle and the dial `frame 100. To this end, the nozzle 140 may Ibe of single piece construction incorporating the flanged tube 142 and nozzle mem- -ber 148 heretofore described without the provision of fingers 146. The lower end of bore 114 is reduced `to provide an annular Ishoulder 278, providing one of the stop surfaces, the other of which is provided by the `annular flange 144' of the nozzle 140.

A further alternative construction in the present em- -bodiment is the provision of a radially extending discharge passageway 280 -in lieu of the axial bore 224 in plug '220 and communicating passageway 222 previously provided.

In the operation of the dial mechanism 82, a shell is transferred `from rthe shell feeding dial to a seat 246 on the dial frame. The position of the'bell crank 268 just before the transfer ofthe shell onto the associated seat is shown in Figure 14 wherein the lower edge of the cylindrical member 112' is engaged within the notch 272 and thus, the' charge depositing device is held against downward movement. Just before the shells are transferred onto the seat, cam track 186 rises sufciently to relieve the pressure exerted by spring 204 between the lower edge of the cylindrical 'member and the notch 2,72. The upper portion of the arm 271 adjacent the notch prevents the |bell crank from pivotinguunder the action of spring 276 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 14. As the shell is transferred from theshell feeding dial to the seat 246 of the dial mechanism 82, the leading upper'edge of the shell will engage the lower arm 27) of the bell crank thus moving the upper arm outwardly against the action of spring 276 and moving the notch 272 away from the cylindrical member. As

into` the position shown in Figure l5. The upper arm 271 of thebell crank is thus prevented from moving inwardly by engagement of the cam surface 274 with' the lower edge of the cylindrical member as the leading y-upper edge of the shell skirt passes from beneath the outer end of arm 270. The shell is then centered on the seat246 and held in engagement therewith yby the magnets 252.

The roller 254 next engages the traveling endless belt 256 so as to cause the seat with the shell thereon to rotate.` Immediately after the shell begins to rotate, cam track 186 falls oi sharply permitting the charge measuring device 106 to move downwardly under the iniiuence of spring 204. Cam 186 may be contoured so that the rate of plastisol ejection can be accurately controlled. As the device moves downwardly, flange 144 will engage shoulder 278 to stop the movement of the nozzle, piston rod and piston while the cylindrical member and its associated structure will continue to move downwardly. In this manner, the upper end wall 124' of the charge measuring chamber will move toward the upper surface of theI piston until it engages the same to eject a predetermined charge of plastisol into therspinning shell as previously described.;

'It is to be noted that therlongitudinal axes of the charge depositing device 106 and seat 246 are offset lat- 

